There's a special election on Tuesday, February 26 for one of New York City's highest-ranking offices — and it will feature a ballot with 17 candidates. Let this public advocate guide help you navigate the thorny issues so you can cast an informed vote in this unusual winter election.
Remember: NY1 will be your place for all your public advocate coverage on Election Night. We will have live results and full coverage on NY1 and right here on NY1.com, as well as on our Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Need help finding where to go vote? Use the widget below to find your polling place.
🚨🚨 Listen up New Yorkers: there's a special election tomorrow for public advocate. What's a public advocate? Why should you care? @bobhardt fills you in in 60 seconds. pic.twitter.com/AXma8hkO0M
— Spectrum News NY1 (@NY1) February 25, 2019
On the one hand, the public advocate is one of the city's highest-ranking jobs. It's one of just three citywide elected offices (the others are mayor and comptroller) and first-in-line of succession should something happen to the mayor.
On the other hand, it's a job with little real power and a vaguely defined mission. Essentially, the office functions as a city government watchdog and an ombudsperson for the public.
The public advocate investigates complaints and issues reports, and can also introduce legislation in the City Council, although he or she cannot vote on it. The public advocate can also preside over Council meetings, though not all have exercised that option.
In practice, the job is what the office-holder makes of it. It's a soapbox and widely viewed as a springboard to higher office. The public advocate is a highly-visible perch that allows its occupant to raise his or her profile without the messy complications of real governing. That makes it a good place for people who have their eyes on the mayor's office.
Manny Alicandro
Current job: Attorney.
Background: Previously sought state attorney general position.
One Thing to Know: President Donald Trump supporter who has vowed to reform homelessness in the city, NYCHA, and the MTA.
Michael Blake
Current job: Assemblyman for 79th District in the Bronx, and vice chair of the Democratic National Committee.
Background: Worked for the Obama Administration.
One Thing to Know: Wants the Public Advocate to have a permanent seat on MTA Board.
David Eisenbach
Current job: Historian, author, and professor at Columbia University.
Background: Ran in the Democratic primary for Public Advocate in 2017.
One Thing to Know: Wants to use the Public Advocate office to push for the Small Business Jobs Survival Act to, in part, create an arbitration system to help small businesses struggling with high rents in the city.
Rafael Espinal
Current job: City councilman for 37th District in Brooklyn.
Background: Assemblyman for 54th District in Brooklyn from 2011 to 2013.
One Thing to Know: Wants the Public Advocate to introduce legislation to create more housing.
Tony Herbert
Current job: CEO and chairman of the Multi-Cultural Restaurant & Night Life Chamber of Commerce.
Background: Former special assistant to former City Councilwoman Priscilla Wooten and Rep. Edolphus Towns.
One Thing to Know: Wants to use the Public Advocate's office to pressure the city to improve living conditions for NYCHA tenants.
Ron Kim
Current job: Assemblyman for the 40th District in Queens.
Background: Worked for the City Council speaker and Spitzer and Paterson administrations.
One Thing to Know: Wants to transform the Public Advocate's office to cancel, monetize, or write down debt.
Nomiki Konst
Current job: Reporter for The Young Turks.
Background: Surrogate for Bernie Sanders's 2016 presidential campaign.
One Thing to Know: Wants New Yorkers to have a $30 minimum wage by 2020 .
Melissa Mark-Viverito
Current job: Senior advisor to the Latino Victory Fund.
Background: City Council Speaker from 2014 to 2017.
One Thing to Know: Says she would be willing to sue city agencies as Public Advocate.
Daniel O'Donnell
Current job: Assembly member for 69th District in Manhattan.
Background: Served as a public defender in New York City for seven years.
One Thing to Know: Wants multiple revenue streams to fund transit repairs.
Jared Rich
Current job: Attorney.
Background: Has practiced solo law in Brooklyn.
One Thing to Know: Wants revenue from potential marijuana legalization and congestion pricing to be given to city schools.
Ydanis Rodriguez
Current job: City councilman for 10th District in Manhattan.
Background: Co-founded a Washington Heights school and taught there for 13 years.
One Thing to Know: Supports bringing e-bikes and e-scooters to New York City.
Helal Sheikh
Current job: School teacher and advocate.
Background: Former City Council candidate.
One Thing to Know: Supports helping homeowners pay any city liens and tax bills so they can keep their houses.
Dawn Smalls
Current job: Partner at Boies Schiller Flexner law firm.
Background: Worked in the Clinton and Obama Administrations.
One Thing to Know: Wants the Public Advocate's office to shine a spotlight on homeless women and kids.
Eric Ulrich
Current job: City councilman for 32nd District in Queens.
Background: Former member of Queens Community Board 9.
One Thing to Know: Member of the Republican Party.
Latrice Walker
- NOTE: Latrice Walker will remain on the ballot despite ending her campaign and asking to be removed, the New York City Board of Elections ruled on January 29. Under law, the only way someone can be removed from the ballot is to die, be convicted of a felony, or move out of New York City.
Current job: Assemblywoman for 55th District in Brooklyn.
Background: Previously worked as counsel to New York Rep. Yvette Clarke.
One Thing to Know: Wants the Public Advocate to have subpoena and investigative powers, and be able to sue.
Jumaane Williams
Current job: City councilman for 45th District in Brooklyn.
Background: Former executive director of New York State Tenants & Neighbors advocacy group.
One Thing to Know: Wants the Public Advocate to be able to subpoena city government and vote in the City Council.
Benjamin Yee
Current job: Secretary for the Manhattan Democratic Party and State Committeeman of Assembly District 66.
Background: New York State digital director for Obama's 2008's presidential campaign in the general election.
One Thing to Know: Pushing for a citywide initiative to teach New Yorkers about civics.
